Volunteer Spotlight: Tedd Russell |
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This May, we highlight volunteer Tedd Russell. Tedd started volunteering with the Department of Parks and Recreation about 20 years ago and has been serving the community consistently since then. He began volunteering out of necessity. When he signed up his son for basketball at Glenarden Community Center, there were no coaches to lead the team. He stepped in and took on this role. Because of his involvement and advocacy for parent engagement in basketball practices, he inspired six more parents and his own family members, including his mom, to enlist as volunteer coaches as well. When he was coaching at Glenarden, Tedd taught parents passing drills so they could assist their children with practice at home. In addition to helping to build basketball skills, this also gave the children more quality time with their parents.
As an avid bike rider, Tedd’s favorite volunteer event now is the Department's Bike Rodeo. In this program, participants age 6 to 12 learn tips on how to ride a bike safely by doing a skills course, bike safety discussion, bike and helmet check, and a basic bike course. Tedd states that “Volunteering is important for the community. It not only gives us all something productive to do but it also gives those who may be going through rough times some hope and something to look forward to. Regardless of where you are in your life, volunteering can teach you something or open you up to more possibilities.”
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If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering click here!
Virtual opportunities are available.
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Your Summer Guide to fun is here! Registration for County residents opens on May 18 and for non-County residents on May 25 at https://bit.ly/3vsxwVu
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It's time to play ball and read! The Department of Parks and Recreation has partnered with the Washington Nationals for a special Youth Activity Day!
Attendees will participate in a book reading with a Washington Nationals player and join a number of baseball and softball activities. Attendees will receive a free bat and ball from Major League Baseball and a baseball-themed book from Prince George's County Memorial Library System.
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Get your body moving and engaged at the 2022 Senior Health and Fitness Day! Come out and enjoy activities including Zumba, line dancing, bingo, Drum N Tone, swimming, spin class, chair massages, art and more. This event is free for Prince George’s County residents ages 60 and better. Registration is required.
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Join us for an outdoor movie night at Glassmanor Elementary School on Saturday, May 21, 6:30 p. m. Learn about the County's resources and enjoy the screening of the movie "Encanto"! |
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Community Partner Organization |
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GATCCS (Guardian Angel Transforming Christian Counseling Services)
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Our partner organization highlight this month features Guardian Angel Transforming Christian Counseling Services (GATCCS), an organization based in Bladensburg. GATCCS focuses on serving seniors, advocating for survivors of domestic violence, and assisting local residents with job readiness and job placement.
GATCCS does a variety of work in the community to connect those in need with resources and opportunities. For 13 years, the organization has hosted an annual ceremony in February honoring local seniors across five categories: domestic violence survivors and advocates, veterans, GED recipients and college graduates, community activists, and entrepreneurs. The organization also hosts several virtual meetings each month providing services including domestic violence support groups, job readiness and business start-up workshops, and a reading group addressing cultural and historical topics of significance. In April of this year, GATCCS supported the City of Bowie’s Walk to End Domestic Violence by connecting participants with resources. The organization also provided support to the Second Chance Month Job & Resource Fair at the Glenarden Community Center, passing out literature and connecting formerly incarcerated community members with job opportunities.
According to organization president Barbara Givens, GATCCS's mission is to help people recover from financial difficulties and find healing from traumatic experiences through connection. According to Barbara, "There are a lot of young people and older people who are hurting and they just want to be heard. They want to know that someone cares about them." Through volunteer work, organization members and program participants uplift the community, build connections, share their experiences, and learn from one another.
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President's Volunteer Service Award |
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Are you eligible for the President's Volunteer Service Award? If you have provided 100+ hours (50+ hours for ages 13 to 15) of unpaid acts of volunteer service benefitting others within a 12-month period, you may be eligible to be nominated for the award. The award package includes a customized certificate, choice of the official pin, coin, or medallion and a congratulatory letter signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Contact Volunteer Services & Community Partnerships Manager Teresa Gardner-Williams at teresa.gardner-w@pgparks.com or 301-446-3321 if you would like more information.
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Don't Forget To Follow Us On Social Media! |
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If you have questions about volunteering or
student-service learning hours, or ideas for upcoming newsletter features, contact
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